Page:Prehistoric Times.djvu/83

Rh and that this may account for their small size and flimsiness.

There are also rare objects of gold, amber, and jet. The pottery belongs to the classes known as drinking-cups (fig. 18o) and food vessels (fig. 178).

Stonehenge probably belongs to this period.

The metal characteristic of this period is a true bronze containing often 10 per cent, of tin. Weapons and implements of stone are much rarer. The axes are in many cases still flat, but broader at the edge: many, however, are flanged, and the blade is not unfrequently ornamented with chevrons or spiral fluting, but there are still none with stop-ridges or sockets. The flange is so great, and at the same time so simple, an improvement, that when it was once introduced it would soon supersede the old flat blade.

The daggers are larger and often provided with bronze rivets, and sometimes with small gold pins. There are also halberds with the blade inserted at right angles into the handle. Gold is more abundant, and there are some beautiful neck ornaments or lunulæ.

No stone weapons have been found in any burial or any hoard belonging to this or the later periods.

The bronze axes are more elaborate, the flanges are higher, and the edge often more expanding, sometimes almost semilunar. Some of them have a loop, for attachment to the handle, on one or both sides. There are no socketed axes, but on the other hand some of the daggers have sockets, if these really belong to this period.

Several sickles have been found and may be referred to this period.

The ornaments are richer and more elaborate. They comprise bracelets, "torques" (figs. 64, 70), and gold collars.